Twenty-four All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are mounting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.
Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, stated this on Saturday in Lokoja, the state capital, at a rally organised by the APC to receive defectors to into its fold.
The governor, at the event, which was also attended by the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said Buhari must contest in 2019.
He explained that all the 24 APC governors were ready to support his re-election.
He maintained that APC remained the only viable and strongest party in Kogi State, saying the development made members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to defect to the party.
He said, “President Buhari must contest second term because all the 24 APC governors are ready to support his re-election
“All the PDP members that mattered in the state have all decamped to the APC because they have seen the light and realised that APC has better programme for the people of the state and Nigeria in general”
Odigie-Oyegun, at the rally, said the President had liberated the country from an impending economic doom.
He added that Buhari had succeeded in repositioning the economy from dependency on oil and focusing on other sources of revenue such as agriculture.
He said, “Nigeria, under President Buhari, no longer depends on oil to survive. Today, Nigeria, under Buhari, has taken the lead in the agricultural production and the nation is operating on a stable economic progression.”
Meanwhile, some of the national leaders and six state governors billed to attend another APC unity rally in Minna, the Niger State capital, shunned the event.
Also, all the state House of Assembly members walked out of the rally in annoyance.
The rally, earlier scheduled for 1pm, commenced at 3.30pm when it became clear that the party’s national chieftains and the invited governors might not attend.
The climax of the rally was the reception for 34 defectors from the PDP including ex-commissioners in the state.
Speaking at the pre-rally meeting on Saturday Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State, said the APC’s profile was rising in the state because of its strict adherence to the principles of party supremacy.
Bello advised the new members to abide by the party rules and regulations.
He said, “The cohesion, progress and unity we are witnessing in Niger State APC today are products of strict adherence to party supremacy. We respect party supremacy and I am glad that the calibre of people returning to the family are experienced party men.’’
The state party Chairman, Jibrin Imam, described the defection as the best thing to happen to the state and the party, adding that “this development will further strengthen the party.”
